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Thursday, May 22, 2014

Book Study--Post #7

This post is part of a
series of posts sponsored by SCBWI Florida Tampa
Bay area writers. We invite
you to join us in this online
book study of THE WRITER’S JOURNEY: MYTHIC STRUCTURE FOR WRITERS, Third Edition
by Christopher Vogler

Post #7

Book 2, Pages 142-175

Contributor: Cheryl Mansfield

Now that our hero has passed tests
and gained allies, it’s time for Stage
7: Approach to the Inmost Cave. Here the hero will make final preparation
for the central ordeal ahead.

Nearing the midpoint this stage may
involve:

-An actual location, where danger
lurks

-An inner conflict, that the hero has
not had to face until now

-Here the hero makes their final
preparations before taking the leap into the unknown.

-Final gathering of information or
belongings needed for the journey.

As the stakes rise now, the doubts
and fears that came up at the beginning of the journey may resurface. In order
to find the courage to continue our hero may stop and think about all they have
already been through.

One inside the deepest part of the
Inmost Cave, the hero has reached what Joseph Campbell called "the real
heart of the matter” – Stage 8: The
Ordeal. In this stage the hero hits bottom and faces one simple truth—he must
die so that he may be reborn. But first he must confront an opposing force.
There are several ways for this to happen:

-The hero appears to die.

-The hero witnesses death

-The hero causes death

This moment will change the hero, he
will be reborn. Known as the “Black Moment” this stage is a crucial, tension-filled
time for the reader. They have come to identify with the hero. What happens to
the hero happens to them, as well.

Having cheated death, the hero now
reaches Stage 9: Reward. Here he
takes possession of the treasure he sought. The treasure may be tangible, or
perhaps reconciliation with a loved one. There may be a love scene or marriage.
Heroes are recognized as special, part of a select few who have cheated death.
Since only gods are exempt from death, our hero has become part of an exclusive
club. Joseph Campbell calls this “initiation”, a new beginning in a new rank.
The hero is a new creature.

About Me

Rob Sanders is a writer who teaches and a teacher who writes. He has worked as an educational consultant, editor, editorial manager, product designer, trainer, public speaker, and has been a mentor to many writers. Each day Rob teaches and learns with kids at Mintz Elementary School in Brandon, Florida. His picture books include COWBOY CHRISTMAS (Golden Books/Random House) and OUTER SPACE BEDTIME RACE (Random House Books for Young Readers). HarperCollins has acquired two of Rob's books about Ruby Rose--the first will come out in 2016. And be on the lookout for RODZILLA coming soon from Simon & Schuster.